BJP leaders stage protest, demand Nagendra’s resignation

Leaders and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday began an indefinite protest on the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises in Shivamogga, demanding the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra.

The party’s district unit launched the protest in response to a call given by the BJP State president.

N.K. Jagadish, BJP district president, said Mr. Nagendra, during his earlier tenure as a Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led government, was responsible for the misuse of funds at the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. He alleged that the funds were misused by the Minister and that an official of the corporation died in connection with the case.

He said the same tainted Minister had now been re-inducted into the Cabinet, and asked whether Mr. Nagendra had secured the berth by pressuring the Congress high command.

The protesters raised slogans demanding Mr. Nagendra’s resignation. Party leaders Dattatri S., Harikrishna, and Jyothi Prakash, among others participated in the protest.